52-minute work, 17-minute break: Is it a productivity trick that works?
6 hours agoLast Updated: November 4, 2025
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52-minute work, 17-minute break: Is it a productivity trick that works?
By Eve Upton-Clark | Published: 2025-11-04 09:30:00 | Source: Fast Company – leadership
Over the years, I’ve conditioned myself to only be able to focus in 25-minute increments, with a timer counting down on my peripheral. Next five minute break? It’s like a bonus
It has now become a common wisdom that taking regular breaks during the work day makes a person more productive. However, how long these breaks should last depends on the productivity method you’ve signed up for
Recently, a mental health researcher at the University of Cambridge suggested that longer breaks could, in fact, be more effective in tackling afternoon slumps. “The most productive people work for about 52 minutes at a time, then take a 17-minute break.” – Olivia Remis Shared on Instagram.Â
“Rule 52/17”. It’s been around for a whilepromises increased productivity and work-life balance, but the Cambridge Social publication has renewed debate on the topic. “This is much better than working for long periods,” adds Remes, who earned a doctorate in public health and primary care from Cambridge.
The brain is a muscle, and like any other muscle, it can be overstretched. We’re constantly bombarded with emails and Slack messages, juggling calendars, hopping on the Microsoft Teams ringtone, hopping in and out of Zoom and back on Zoom, and sending work texts. . . Everything can cause Information and cognitive overload.Â
Since many don’t have the option of working less, a number of productivity hacks have emerged instead — from the MTR framework and time blocking to my favorite, the Pomodoro method.
But, even with all these hacks and tools, or relying on AI to take some of the mental load off, it can still feel like an uphill battle to focus even for a few hours a day. For this reason, it is not only important when We take these breaks, however how We take them
Researchers found that while practicing the 52/17 method, “during breaks, the most productive people completely disconnect from technology,” says Remis. There’s no sneaking through some emails or scrolling on X or TikTok.
“Instead, they completely disconnected and gave themselves a chance to relax and unwind,” she adds. So it’s not just about the 17 minutes, it’s about how you use it (or don’t use it).
Of course, unplugging is easier said than done. Especially in a work environment that may not provide the flexibility to stop outside of designated break times, or you may wonder why you are doing a crossword in the middle of the work day.
Even if you can’t set a timer for a full 17 minutes, stepping away from your desk every hour to grab a coffee, take a walk around the office, or just stare out the window and think about what to have for dinner can make a difference.
The early deadline for Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Awards is Friday, November 14, at 11:59 PM PT. Apply today.
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